Olivia Colman Stars in Peculiar Folk-Horror Romance Wicker

Drawing inspiration from the spirit of author Shirley Jackson, the new folk-horror romanceWickeroffers a strange blend of macabre dread and sentimentality. Adapted from the 2006 storyThe Wicker Husbandby British writer Ursula Wills, the film occupies a unique space that feels both disturbing and oddly humorous, centered on the peculiar arrival of a wicker man in a medieval village.

The narrative unfolds in a fabular, unnamed setting where patriarchal customs, such as enforcing metal collars on brides, remain the norm. Olivia Colman delivers a naturalistic performance as a depressed fisherwoman who suffers constant bullying from her narrow-minded neighbors. Her tormentors include a local doctor portrayed by Richard E. Grant and a malicious, elegant tailor’s wife played by Elizabeth Debicki.

Seeking a reprieve from her isolation, the fisherwoman approaches a basketmaker, played by Peter Dinklage, to commission a bespoke companion. The resulting creation is a wicker man brought to life by Alexander Skarsgård, whose expressive eyes lend warmth to his unconventional, woven form. The character serves as a sensitive, attentive partner, excelling at household repairs and providing deep emotional support, even as he creaks softly around the cottage.

Domestic bliss for the couple quickly provokes the ire of the villagers, particularly the spiteful tailor’s wife, who is driven by deep-seated envy. The film concludes in an unsettling and darkly comedic climax as the community reacts to the fisherwoman’s newfound happiness. While the story avoids explicitly addressing the practicalities of a relationship with a wicker partner, the film maintains a consistent, dreamlike tone throughout its runtime.